Justin Finch-Fletchley (condign) wrote in riddikulus,
@ 2008-01-01 22:54:00

September 23, 1997 | Tuesday
Characters: Susan Bones & Justin Finch-Fletchley
Setting: Tuesday night. Outside Hufflepuff Common Room. 9:45ish
Rating: PG-13 for sexual references
Status: Complete

Justin glanced at his wrist watch as he sat in the Hufflepuff common room Charm's book in hand. The noise level was relatively atrocious despite the occasional prefect offering ill fated warnings about what would happen if things didn't settle down. Although curfew was well on it's way, it seemed that a number of students were still wide awake. In one corner a group of girls sat huddled around a wireless listening to the latest episode of As the Time Turner Spins while a group of boy's from various years tuned into the Late Night Quidditch Hour with cool talking Lee Rube and Gene Hollis.

As would be expected amongst the general chatter of the other Hufflepuff patrons and the battling wireless volume levels it was a bit difficult to hear yourself think. As a result, Justin had given up finishing his charms essay some time after he'd sat down. While staring at the same page he'd been looking at for the last thirty minutes he attempted to pass the time with listening to a little bit of everything going on. Though he wasn't doing his homework in the least he used it as an excuse not to be bothered by anyone who made the attempt to strike conversation. His mind was on other things.

He'd made the decision that he'd have a proper chat with Susan about this...mess they'd gotten themselves into. After a few days of moping and general awkwardness he'd finally worked up the courage to initiate a conversation. He'd originally planned to do it tomorrow - but seeing as she was so eager to write him that ... journal entry of self righteousness... he figured tonight would be as good as any. That is...if he could actually hear his thoughts properly.

As the same fifth year prefect who'd been yelling at everyone to shut their trap bolted from the girl's dorms with fire in her eyes, the seventh year closed his books and promptly exited the Hufflepuff commons. It was surprising how quiet the basement corridor was once the common room entrance shut behind him. He took a deep breath and decided he'd catch Susan here. It was good a place as any. Sitting down on one of the stone benches along the wall...he waited.

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gotabonetopick
2008-01-02 07:21 am UTC (link)

When he asked why she was wet she looked down at her self and sighed. “Well I was walking outside in the rain, and was out for a while not to mention I slipped and caused water to drop from some of the trees. Plus I managed to get under a nice rainfall from the roof.” Susan said rather defeated about the whole thing. When Susan felt the warmth of the dry sweater reach her she sighed softly and breathed in. The deep breath in was a bad idea considering the fact she got a good waft of Justin’s scent and caused her to shiver. Susan tried to act normal as she looked back up at him with a meek smile. “I forgot my wand,” she said meekly almost as if a kicked puppy. “I didn’t want to go back for it so I went out and figured I could dry off when I got in.” Susan just shrugged her shoulders.

In her mind she kept thinking how silly she had been, and that Justin probably thought she was an idiot for going out in the rain. She just had to get out of the castle and think. She knew going out late at night was not the greatest idea she had ever had but it had done some good.

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condign
2008-01-02 07:34 am UTC (link)

'Idiot' wasn't exactly the right word for what Justin was thinking. Though he certainly didn't think this was one of Susan's most shining moments, he was a bit biased when it came to his friends. Even ones who puked on him and caused him general emotional uncertainty for the last four days.

He smirked at shook his head at her as he finally found his wand in his back pocket. Despite her moment of...bad judgment he couldn't help but note on the cute bashfulness she always had when she admitted to doing something silly.

"I can dry you off if you'd like - but if you'd rather just change...I don't mind waiting. Er..." he trailed off a moment and scratched the back of his head with the same hand he held his wand in. "It's a bit crowded in the commons either way you decide - I think we'd be better off chatting out here for the most part."

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gotabonetopick
2008-01-02 07:48 am UTC (link)

Susan weighed the options, and she liked the option of not going into the common room. Staying out here and having him dry her off made more sense, and less time to ponder what this chat was going to end up like. Plus she perhaps could keep his sweater on, which was something that sounded like a good idea to Susan. So she decided on the magical way of getting dry, as she would have to dry her clothes anyway. “Thanks Justin, I think I will take you up on that offer.”

Susan looked at him, just standing still waiting for him to get to it. Susan was more nervous about the conversation than his talent with spells. Susan knew that Justin was competent so she really had nothing to worry about. The silence was a tad awkward so she decided to speak. “So, do we want to talk here, or find a classroom?” Susan’s only request was it not be the classroom the whole Michael thing happened in.

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condign
2008-01-02 08:07 am UTC (link)

By the time Susan started talking, Justin had already given his wand a wave and the silent drying charm was done. The Hufflepuff was more than competent in charms and didn't really bother to hesitate. It wasn't the first time he'd had to dry a wand-less friend off and it wasn't like it was much of a big deal.

Stuffing his wand back in his pocket he placed his hand idly on his hip and motioned in the air with his other. "I...don't really have a preference," he replied with a shrug. And he really didn't, in all honesty, Justin hardly thought the 'talk' would take very long.

"I just..." he continued with out much input of where they'd chat. Obviously deciding here was good enough. There wasn't anyone around... "I just wanted to say that I was sorry for everything. I shouldn't have been such an arse. I've just been having a really bad start of term...and well...it's not important...." He shook his head and breathed in deep as to start over, "The point is....I uh...wanted to apologize for all of it. For kissing you and making you think I was leading you on. I didn't mean to do that."

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gotabonetopick
2008-01-02 08:16 am UTC (link)

It was a nice feeling to be dry, something she realized she had missed in the few minutes she had been soaking wet inside. Susan was happy to have someone like Justin around, he was always so helpful. He was sweet too, he was raised a gentleman and you could tell. Perhaps those were a few of the things she liked about him? Yup, they were.

As just started to apologize Susan leaned against the wall, seeing as they wouldn’t be moving. She brushed her now dry hair from her face and just listened to Justin. “Thanks,” she finally said when he had finished. “I’m sorry for telling you liked you, and putting you in any sort of awkward position. I know we are just friend and I’m okay with that.” Susan said softly trying not to look away from Justin like she wanted too. Susan felt like she was a big enough person to do this with out feeling like crying or actually crying. “I shouldn’t have done what I did with your shirt, or think nothing off it. I don’t know, I just wanted to fix it and I didn’t think it was anything. I don’t know.” She finally looked at her feet, but scolded herself in her mind and turned her attention back to Justin. “I’m also sorry you have had a bad start of year, and if I have aided in that at all. I didn’t mean too. I just felt like I should tell you how I felt. It has been a year or so since I started feeling like this and just felt like I should let you know.” Susan nervously rubbed the back of her neck before sighing heavily. “I’m sorry about Michael too.” She added on just in case that was bothering him.

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condign
2008-01-02 08:41 am UTC (link)

"None of this is your fault," Justin offered as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall space next to her. "I was having a bad month long before you even mentioned your feelings - which you shouldn't apologize for either. I just took it badly because of everything else going on. Which wasn't fair to you in the least and I shouldn't have acted like I did."

He looked over at Susan from his observation of the stone floor, "I just had other stuff on my mind, you know? When you told me what was up, I'd been set on not getting mixed up in any more relationships until after I got everything with my parents and school worked out. I don't know what happened, but I think I just caved under the pressure and lashed out at you. I don't know why, but I know that doesn't make up for how I treated you. If anything it's my fault this whole things gotten this bad, so you shouldn't be apologizing. You didn't do anything wrong, Susan."

As Justin glanced back at his shoes he made note of how much he'd missed being able to talk to her so openly. Though he was somewhat embarrassed for having to admit his follies in this entire fiasco, he was glad he'd finally managed to tell her properly and in person. Those journals were definitely far too impersonal for stuff like this.

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gotabonetopick
2008-01-02 08:52 am UTC (link)

Susan took a deep breath, almost afraid of what he had to say. She did relax though as he said that it wasn’t her fault, despite the fact she felt it was. She had hoped he wouldn’t react the way he had over the whole thing, but he had his reasons right, which she was willing to accept. He at least was making it clear now. “It is alright Justin; we are all entitled to some bad times.” She inched herself a bit closer to him and leaned her head to the side a bit but wasn’t touching him. Susan really did miss the times they could just sit and talk like they use too, they had been good. They always had open conversation and she was so comfortable around him. She liked the way they had been and would have that if she couldn’t have something more intimate and official.

“You know you could have told me that, and I completely understand. I understand if you don’t want something because of that, or if you do want a relationship and not with me. Honestly I’m a big girl and will get over it.” Susan looked at her feet as she wiggled her toes in shoes that didn’t feel soggy, it was nice. She smiled as she looked back up at him. “You know you can talk to me about stuff. I’m willing just to listen if you ever need to talk about your parents or school or anything. I don’t know how well I would take you talking about other girls, but it isn’t to say I wouldn’t try.” Susan wanted them to be as close to normal as possible if she could handle it. Sure dating Justin would be fabulous but you can’t force someone right.

“I am happy that I told you how I felt, just wish things didn’t get as bad as they did. It has been something I have been meaning to tell you for a while, and almost did at the end of last year.” Susan looked up at him again her eyes not leaving him. “And despite the fact the kiss was short it was fantastic and far better than Michael Corner and I am happy it was my first.” Susan just sort of blurted it out nervously and awkwardly, she just wanted to tell him it. She was actually happy someone she actually felt something for was her first kiss.

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